Houston Dynamo beat Sporting KC to solidify playoff spot

Tomas Martinez scored in the 63rd minute and his free kick in the 77th led to an own goal, helping the Houston Dynamo beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 on Wednesday night.

Houston moved within one point of a third-place tie with Portland and Seattle in the Western Conference. Second-place Sporting KC needed at least a draw to secure a playoff spot.

Only Vancouver, three points ahead of Sporting KC, has secured a playoff spot in the West.

Martinez tied it at one by volleying home a deflected cross and the Dynamo took the lead on Erik Palmer-Brown's own goal. Martinez's free kick was placed inside the 6-yard box and Palmer-Brown knocked it in with his right leg.

Jimmy Medranda scored for Sporting KC in the 33rd minute. Saad Abdul-Salaam drove down the right side of the 18-yard box and found Medranda trailing the play for a left-footed finish from distance.

Seth Sinovic had an open shot pushed away by Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.

The game was pushed back from Aug. 26 due to Hurricane Harvey. The teams will play again on Sunday.